Vinyl pressings
by John "Jellybean" Benitez · 1984
Sidewalk Talk was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
V-1-19204-P-1 #1 M•M MASTERED BY EMI/ᴬ 0Side A runout, variant 1
V-2-19204-P-2 #1 M•M MASTERED BY EMI/ᴬ 0Side B runout, variant 1
V-1-19204-P-2 #1 M•M MASTERED BY EMI/ᴬ 0Side A runout, variant 2
V-2-19204-P-2 #1 M•M MASTERED BY EMI/ᴬ 0Side B runout, variant 2
B-8297-S-45-501683A-P2 #1 McM Mastered By EMI 0Etched Side A
B-8297-S-45-501727-P-1 #1 McM Mastered By EMI 0Etched Side B
501683AA-Side Label
50127B-Side Label
HERBIE JR :v) SPRO-1-9288-21 #2Runout area A-side [hand-etched]
HERBIE JR :v) SPRO-2-9289-21 #1Runout area B-side [hand-etched]
Mastering by Frankford/Wayne New YorkRunout area both sides [machine-stamped]
SPRO-1-9288-Z1 #2Side A label
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/EAYNE NEW YORKSide A label
SPRO-2-9289-Z1 #1Side B label
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/EAYNE NEW YORKSide B label
PSLP 385 A-1-1-2-T1 DSide A, stamped
PSLP 385 B-1-1-2-T1 DSide B, stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | EMI America AMI-1696First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America S 75128First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America B-8297First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI America 1A K060-20 0937 6 / EMI 1A K060-20 0937 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI America 1C 006-20 0952 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI America 1C K 060-20 0952 6 / EMI America 060 20 0952 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Panama | EMI 8297First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Panama | EMI 8297First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI America 052 20 1002 6 / EMI America 052-2010026First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI America PSLP 385First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | EMI America V-19204First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | EMI America B-8297First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | EMI America SPRO-9288 / EMI America SPRO-9289First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | EMI America V-19204First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | EMI America F 82977", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
27 vinyl pressings of Sidewalk Talk are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is EMI America V-19204.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V-19204, B-8297, SPRO-9288, PSLP 385) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-1-19204-P-1 #1 M•M MASTERED BY EMI/ᴬ 0 and V-2-19204-P-2 #1 M•M MASTERED BY EMI/ᴬ 0. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
